News (1352)
The backbone, launched in 2019, is financed by the African Development Bank and the European Union to the tune of XAF22 billion.
Last Monday, the Central African Republic welcomed the CAR component of the Central Africa Fibre-Optic Backbone Project, which aims to provide broadband internet in the whole country.
According to President Faustin Touadera (photo, left), the efforts made by the government and its partners are aimed at creating an enabling environment in the field of telecommunications in the Central African Republic. "This new project, which is already operational, will first reduce internet costs and then create new jobs," he said.
The CAR component of the Central Africa Fibre-Optic Backbone Project, launched in 2019, is co-financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Union to the tune of XAF22 billion (US$36 million). It interconnects the Central African Republic, Congo Brazzaville, and Cameroon. The project includes 935 kilometers of optic fiber network and 11 relay stations that are being built in Bangui and some strategic towns in the North-West.
According to the Central African government's web portal, the newly deployed backbone will increase tax revenues, reduce the cost of economic and social transactions, reduce the digital isolation of rural areas, promote regional integration, and revitalize the social pact with new employment opportunities for the youth.
For François-Xavier Decopo, coordinator of the CAR component, the next stage is the sales of fiber optic capacity to operators. "In September, an operator will come... The government will sign a public-private partnership agreement with another operator who will manage the infrastructure and sell fiber optic capacities to mobile operators like Orange, Telecel, and Socatel," he said.
Samira Njoya
For several months now, the American company is faced with several accusations from individuals and associations, claiming billions of CFA francs in compensation.
There has recently been a new development in the legal proceedings against META, Facebook's parent company, in Kenya. In a Monday, Feb. 6 ruling, the Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge Jacob Gakeri refused to strike out a complaint filed by Daniel Motaung, a former South African Facebook moderator, who is suing the social technology company over a toxic work environment.
A few months ago, Meta decided to withdraw from the case, arguing that the Kenyan courts had no jurisdiction because its companies are not domiciled or do not operate in Kenya. The claim was denied, however.
"My finding is that (the) second and third respondent shall not be struck from the proceeding," Gakeri said, referring to Meta Platforms Inc and Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd which are "proper parties."
Last May, Daniel Motaung sued Meta and Sama, a Kenyan subcontractor responsible for part of the network's moderation. Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, he sued the company, citing forced labor, random salaries, and the absence of union representation rights.
Like thousands of Meta staff, his job was to scan and report East and Southern African users' posts. In May, several months after he left the outsourcing company, he filed a complaint on 27 counts including torture, exploitation, and discrimination. The judge said the next step in the case has been scheduled for March 8, including a hearing.
In Kenya, Meta is also being sued by two Ethiopian researchers and a Kenyan rights group who accuse the company of allowing violent and hateful messages from Ethiopia on Facebook, thereby stoking up the Ethiopian civil war.
Samira Njoya
During the coronavirus pandemic, technology played a key role in the fight against the virus, demonstrating its usefulness for other public health issues plaguing Africa.
The University of Liverpool announced, Friday (February 3) that one of its research teams is developing a digital tool to predict infectious diseases in the Horn of Africa by working with partners in Italy, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Somalia.
By using climate data, the CLIMate Sensitive DISease Forecasting Tool (CLIMSEDIS) will identify key climate combinations that can cause several climate-sensitive diseases, including mosquito-borne diseases such as the Rift Valley fever.
"The CLIMSEDIS project is timely as it will focus on one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, extreme weather events, and infectious disease outbreaks globally. It will engage with key multidisciplinary stakeholders to better understand their needs for a digital forecasting tool and involve them in assessing CLIMSEDIS to ensure it is functional, user-friendly, and acceptable.CLIMSEDIS will be freely available to improve risk assessments and implement intervention strategies in advance to help mitigate or reduce the impact of an impending disease outbreak event. This will optimize resources and save lives," explained Louise Kelly-Hope a researcher from the University's Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences.
The five-year project is funded, to the tune of GBP0.5 million (US$602,523), by Wellcome, a global charitable foundation that supports science to solve pressing health problems facing the world. The funding is part of the GBP22.7 million funding package announced (three days earlier) by the foundation to support the development of new, cutting-edge digital tools to help transform preparations and responses to devastating outbreaks.
The funding follows a Wellcome-commissioned study published last year. The study found only 37 fully developed climate-sensitive infectious disease (CSID) modeling tools in the world and most of them were created in North America and Europe, underscoring the need for greater global representation.
According to the study "Global expansion and redistribution of Aedes-borne virus transmission risk with climate change," regional rate of climate change is likely to determine the future transmission risk landscape of Aedes, mosquito species that are the primary vectors of dengue, Zika virus, chikungunya, and yellow fever. East Africa is one of the regions where transmission risks are expected to greatly increase.
Muriel Edjo
In Kenya, the digitization of public services is one of the key focuses of the current government, which launched several projects to establish the required framework.
Kenya will start issuing digital birth and death certificates, as of March 1, 2023, the Ministry of Interior announced last week.
According to Julius Bitok (photo), Kenya's Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizens Services, the launch of the e-service will coincide with the introduction of a unique personal identifier (UPI) that will act as a lifetime ID for newborns.
The certificates "will be accessed through e-citizen services, and people will be given what we call UPI. When you register, you will automatically receive the number that will become your birth certificate number," said Julius Bitok.
For several years now, getting administrative documents has proven difficult for Kenyans. To end the challenges they face, the government made public service digitalization one of its priorities.
The UPI is one of the results of that commitment. As its name suggests, it is a personal reference detail, similar to an ID card number. It will also serve as the death certificate number.
In addition to being used for birth and death registration, UPI will also serve as a school admission number as well as an index number for national examinations.
Samira Njoya
The fintech startup is now Egypt's second unicorn after the e-payment platform Fawry.
Last Wednesday, Egyptian fintech MNT-Halan announced a US$400 million funding round, which helped it achieve unicorn status.
The startup founded in 2018 by Mounir Nakhla and Ahmed Mohsen said it secured US$260 million in equity financing (equity) and US$140 million in debt financing, with securitized bond issuance last year.
A single investor, Abu Dhabi-based investment fund Chimera Investments, injected about US$200 million into the start-up in exchange for a 20% stake.
"The timing of the transaction is [...] a testament to our ability to significantly increase our revenues and open new revenue streams while growing our bottom line, despite the macro-economic situation," said MNT Halan CEO Mounir Nakhla.
Thanks to this new funding round, MNT-Halan becomes the second unicorn in Egypt, after the e-payment platform Fawry.
In September 2021, it raised US$120 million from several private equity funds, including Apis Growth Fund II, Development Partners International (DPI) and Lorax Capital Partners, and venture capital funds Middle East Venture Partners, Endeavor Catalyst, and DisruptTech. Among other things, the funds secured helped it acquire the online grocery shopping platform Talabeyah. Currently, it is the leading Egyptian lender to the unbanked with over US$2 billion of loans already disbursed.
With its digital footprint growing over the years, Africa has to deal with cyber threats that could jeopardize the development of its digital economy. This is the reason why most countries on the continent are betting on increased collaboration, with both regional and international partners, to clean their cyberspaces.
Last Monday, at the opening of the TAIEX INTPA International Strategic Seminar on Cybersecurity organized by the European Union and Cabo Verde, Cabo Verdean deputy Pirmer Minister Olavo Correia (photo, left) announced his country's plan to establish a national cybersecurity center.
He also appealed to the European Union for assistance with the implementation of that tedious project. "We want, along with the European Union, to work so that we have an effective National Cybersecurity Centre, so that we have a more robust regulatory framework so that we can be aligned with the best practices in terms of security," he said.
According to the government official, the planned center will allow Cabo Verde to deal with cyber-attacks and invest in the development of cybersecurity talents, which will also benefit other countries, notably West African neighbors.
The European Union replied it was ready to assist the country in the project given their common interests in data protection. "This is an area to which Cabo Verde attaches great importance and it is also an area to which we, the European Union, attach importance, not least because of the passage through the country of the EllaLink undersea cable, through which European data circulates, and it is also of interest to us to ensure the security of that data," said Carla Grijó (photo, ambassador), EU ambassador to Cabo Verde.
Samira Njoya
In 2022, telecom networks were seriously disrupted in Cameroon. In that context, with the investments, Orange wants to develop its services to fully satisfy its subscribers.
Orange, one of the leading telecom companies in Cameroon, will invest XAF150 billion (US$252 million) over the next five years to secure, expand and modernize its network infrastructure. The investment plan was announced by the operator's executives during a meeting with the local telecom regulator ART's officials last Tuesday.
According to Patrick Benon, CEO of Orange Cameroon, the investment will ensure improved service quality and network coverage in some areas not yet covered by Orange Cameroon. It will also allow the development of more innovative solutions, he added.
Of the XAF150 billion investment announced, XAF30 billion will fund the digitalization of service processes, and service platforms notably. The aim is to make the platforms more flexible and easy to use so that their integrated offers, services, and applications can be easily used but also streamline the after-sales service pathway to provide an improved customer experience.
Patrick Benon explains that during the meeting with the ART, Orange made firm commitments to improve its service quality this year.
It should be noted that this meeting is part of the consultation initiated by the ART to address the challenges that prevent the development of the telecom sector in general, and the digital economy in particular, in Cameroon. It follows a seminar organized (with support from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications) in Yaounde, in December 2022, to discuss the quality of telecom services.
Samira Njoya
By introducing multipurpose cards, the government plans to address the ongoing challenges faced by citizens who have no identity documents and improve access to essential services.
Last Monday, Sierra Leonan President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio (photo, left), officially launched the production and verification of secure, multi-purpose biometric identity cards in Sierra Leone.
The new multi-purpose smart cards are the result of a public-private partnership between the Government of Sierra Leone and Constrat Systems (SL) Ltd. They are designed to facilitate the identification of every citizen, reduce the cost of financial transactions, and increase financial inclusion, among other things.
"With the chip-based biometric ID, banks, forex bureaus, micro-finance institutions, mobile money providers, and other financial service providers, among others, can now easily and effectively carry out the electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) process to authenticate and verify their customers at far lower costs for trusted financial transactions across Sierra Leone," the President said.
The new biometric card can be issued to Sierra Leonans (National ID cards), ECOWAS nationals (ECOWAS ID cards), and other foreigners (non-national ID cards). It will offer holders the possibility of carrying out transactions anywhere and at any time while enjoying the dual advantage of verifying their identity and being able to easily access the various social facilities provided by the government.
Let's note that in January, the Sierra Leone Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) and the Modular Open Source Identity Platform (MOSIP) signed a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of a national digital identification system.
Samira Njoya
The internet service provider currently operates in 15 counties but, it plans to add 10 more counties to its network, therefore providing services to over 250,000 Kenyans over the next five years.
recently announced the closing of its US$9 million Series B funding round. It raised US$6 million fromInfraCo Africa's investment arm and US$1.5 million from E3 Capital and the same amount from the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank FMO.
"Mawingu’s aim is not to simply drop an Internet cable at someone’s house. We seek to help our customers access new opportunities for work, education, entertainment, and social connections through the power of the internet," said Mawigu's CEO, Farouk Ramji.
Since 2012, Mawingu has been providing internet services in Kenyan rural and peri-urban areas. In late 2022, it was claiming over 7,500 active users and more than 300,000 hotspot users across the country.
Its ambition is to give internet access to 100 million Africans. For Claire Jarratt, InfraCo Africa Chief Investment Officer, Mawingu contributes to economic development by providing internet access to populations. "As our first telecoms investment, Mawingu appealed to us as its services are designed to provide affordable internet access tailored to the needs of underserved rural customers," she said.
Samira Njoya
Starlink, the satellite constellation operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, launched its satellite internet services in Nigeria yesterday, January 31. Its aim is to provide a fast and reliable internet connection to users.
On Twitter, the company announced that Nigeria is the first African country to be able to use SpaceX's network. It also indicated that the service will launch, this year, in several other African countries, including Mozambique, Kenya, and Angola. South Africa was also supposed to welcome the satellite internet services this year but, in August 2022, SpaceX dashed the hopes by updating its rollout plan.
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The approval comes six months after the Ghanaian fintech startup raised US$10 million from Symbiotics BV and a Mauritian fund.
Ghanaian fintech startup Zeepay recently received the Central Bank of Zambia's approval to operate in Zambia offering users the possibility to directly send funds from their mobile money wallets to over 150 countries.
According to Andrew Takyi-Appiah (photo), co-founder and managing director of Zeepay, the new service, which is the first of its kind in the world, is the result of a partnership with Moneygram International. "Our partnership with MoneyGram is helping to make Africa borderless day by day, and we are excited to be at the forefront of this revolutionary change," he said.
Zeepay operates in more than 25 countries around the world. Since its launch in 2016, it has grown exponentially. In March 2020, it became the first Ghanaian company to secure an Electronic Money Issuer (EMI) license from Bank of Ghana, the Ghanaian central bank.
In August 2022, it raised US$10 million to enter more African markets and support local banks.
Samira Njoya
According to Mastercard's report "The Future of Fintech-Africa," the number of fintech startups operating in Africa rose 81% between 2019 and 2021. Some of those startups operate outside the law and are deemed predatory. Authorities are now taking measures to make them compliant.
In Nigeria, an additional 106 digital lenders got their approvals to operate from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) last Wednesday, January 25. A few days later, on January 30, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) licensed 12 fintech startups, raising the number of licensed fintech startups in the country to 22.
"The focus of the engagements has been inter alia on business models, consumer protection, and fitness and propriety of proposed shareholders, directors, and management. This is to ensure adherence to the relevant laws and importantly that the interests of customers are safeguarded, " the CBK indicated in its release announcing the licensing.
In 2022, Kenya and Nigeria took regulatory measures to secure the digital lending landscape following consumers' growing complaints about the various practices, including high-interest rates and the name-and-shame behavior, in that ecosystem. Nigeria even took down more than 50 loan apps from Playstore, according to an interview with FCCPC CEO Babatunde Irukera.
Also, in November 2022, Google informed digital lenders operating in the two countries that starting from January 2023, it would host their app on Playstore only when they submit a genuine business license. "Google has been very supportive, including providing their expert knowledge and experience in offering advice on what works best in achieving laudable regulatory objectives," he said.
Since March 2022, the CBK has received 381 licensing applications. In Nigeria, of the 106 fintech startups that have received their approvals, 65 have received full approval, while the remaining 41 have received conditional approval.
Samira Njoya
DR Congo, which is confident that ICT tools can greatly contribute to emergence, is focused on building a unique digital ecosystem.
DR Congo is currently preparing for the upcoming launch of its intranet project in line with its strategy to digitize and modernize public services. The project was presented by the Ministry of Digital Affairs, last Thursday, after a meeting with various state institutions' representatives.
The national intranet will, among other things, interconnect public institutions in a single network and facilitate access and exchange of information between public services and citizens. It will also facilitate the delivery of public services by federal and local institutions, facilitate communications (email, IP phone, etc.), promote the smooth operation of ministries' and public administrations' websites, and boost the efficiency and effectiveness of the administration by pooling services.
According to Venceslas Katimba, advisor in charge of digital infrastructure and equipment, many things need to be done before the launch of that important digital infrastructure. They include upgrading government websites to required standards since only 21 of the 46 government websites have a web address and just 15 of those addresses use the "gouv.cd" top-level domain name.
Let's note that the various projects underway in the DRC are part of the National Digital Plan - Horizon 2025 which aims to leverage the digital industry for integration, good governance, economic growth, and social progress.
Samira Njoya
The development of broadband access in Africa has contributed to the growth of new professional opportunities, including gaming, which, if properly supported, has the potential to create new entertainment professionals.
Next January 28-29, Africa's young gaming talents will meet at Sofitel Abidjan's congress center for the grand finale of Orange Esport Experience, a pan-African gaming championship organized by Orange Côte d'Ivoire. This year marks the fourth edition of the championship with gamers from fourteen countries.
The participating countries are Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Central African Republic, and Sierra Leone. During the 2-day final, the champions of those countries will compete in games such as Street Fighter V, FIFA 2023, eFootball 2023 (ex-PES) and play a demo game on League Of Legends.
According to Orange, gaming is now a professional discipline that helps create many jobs, especially in the field of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and open innovation. This is why it is investing in that championship to identify gaming talents.
For Brelotte Ba, deputy director Orange Africa and Middle East, "Africa offers the ideal setting for this growing discipline.
Since 2016, Orange has been investing in the development of Esports with national and international bouts to bring out young gaming talents from the Middle East and Africa. the Orange Esport Experience was launched in 2018, and since then, it is held yearly in Côte d'Ivoire.
In Europe and the United States, gaming is no longer just entertainment. Some professional gamers earn five-figure salaries monthly. In Africa on the other hand, it is a relatively new field. Nevertheless, with the development of broadband access, it is growing quickly, presenting new opportunities to tech-savvy youth.
Muriel Edjo